Chapter 53: Temptation

Feng Xue gulped several times and took a deep breath before she bowed and pleaded to the old man, "I need the Nine-Petal Lotus for my Father. Please, senior, I'll remember this debt forever."

"Old fogey, don't be stingy! I know you have a lot more precious treasure than the Lotus. She needs it to cure her father of Black Scorpion Poison. You're not so heartless that you unmoved by her filial piety, are you?" said Rong Hua to support Feng Xue.

"Who says I'm heartless? Don't you slander me, you little rabbit," retorted the old man as he flicked Rong Hua's forehead and watched her rolling in the floor, "Black Scorpion Poison? Sure, it's quite troublesome to find the cure in the Eastern Region."

"This is your once-in-a-lifetime chance, though. I can also give you any divine-rank technique you want, or you can also choose one of many treasures that can even make gods and immortal salivate, or if you want, I can elevate your bloodline to a height that you can't even imagine, you'll soar in the nine firmaments and reign over myriad race," said the old man with a calm but captivating voice.

Although he sounded like boasting to other people, Feng Xue, Snowy, and Rong Hua believed he was speaking the truth.

Despite his lazy and carefree demeanor, his words and his gaze exuded a majestic and domineering presence that no ordinary expert could match.

He didn't need to lie to Feng Xue with such an overwhelming might since he won't gain anything out of it.

"I don't need-"

"Think about it carefully. Since this little rabbit wanted to follow you, you can go to Western Continent whenever you want. Although you still need to spend an effort to find the antidote there, you can quickly get it with the power I can bestow you. What do you think? It's like killing two birds with one stone."

The old man interrupted before she could finish her words and even patiently explained the benefit of his offer.

Most cultivators would already jump in to accept his proposal; they would get only the benefit without the slightest disadvantage. Many experts would also agree with this choice and thought her hesitation was foolish.

Even Rong Hua, an Immortal King before she cursed into a rabbit, felt slightly tempted by the old man's words.

"Thanks for your kind intention, Senior. I'm sorry for letting down your expectation," Feng Xue shooked her head, decisively rejected his offer.

"Although I don't know what the future will hold, and someday I might regret my decision today," she smiled at Snowy warmly and said, "I believe someone will always there on my side and face the challenge together. And, for me, the most important thing right now is my father's recovery. I won't gamble with his life."

The old man burst into laughter when he heard Feng Xue answer and looked at Feng Xue filled with gentleness, "Good, good. A good seedling indeed. Not only were you blessed with very pure Divine Phoenix's bloodline, but you also had a pure and determined heart that fitted the bloodline very well. Your achievement will be limitless in the future."

"Does it mean we can have the Nine-Petal Lotus?"

"Of course, of course. Let the little rabbit take you there when it fully blooms."

Feng Xue felt the heavy burden on her shoulder was lifted when she saw the old man laughing joyfully. She was quite worried that the old man would feel disappointed with her answer and decided to go back on his words. But, it seemed that her worry was unfounded, and she could get the Nine-Petal lotuses smoothly.

"Here, I'm in a good mood, so I'll also give you another gift," His finger lighted up and formed a mudra sign as he touched Feng Xue's forehead, "This will preserve your life once. Even if your true soul is extinguished, it could prevent it from dispersing. With the innate talent of a phoenix, you might get a second life, of course, with an appropriate price. I hope this will gave you a chance to achieve a greater height."

"Bzzt..." The mudra sign entered her head and instantly marked her mind, soul, and dantian. Her pure fire Qi filled the mark one by one and established a link between each mark, chaining the three centers of power.

When the three marks had fully filled with pure Fire Qi, they were dissolved and blended into Feng Xue's blood to strengthen the connection between the bloodline and the center of power. Now, even if Feng Xue's body was destroyed and her soul was damaged, the ability of her bloodline, Phoenix Rebirth, would rebuild her body and renew her soul.

"I am grateful for what you have given me. I would answer your call anywhere and anytime. Just say the words, and I'll even head into a sea of fire without hesitation," said Feng Xue as she bowed deeply to the old man.

The gift given by the old man was really a big fortune for Feng Xue. She knew how astonishing the gift was. It allowed Feng Xue to cheat death, though only once, it still very amazing. It could also consider a fate-changing treasure!

So, such great kindness, such a miraculous gift, how could Feng Xue not feel grateful? The only one who had given her a similar level of the present was only Snowy, who she knew was a goddess-like existence.

Does it mean that the old man in front of her was also Snowy's kin? This sudden realization hit Feng Xue hard. Before, she only heard about gods and immortals in the legends and tales. But, this week only she came across one former immortal and two people who most likely a god and a goddess. What kind of joke is this? Feng Xue could only smile wryly.

"You don't need to promise such thing, just live up to your talent and make the best out of my gift for you. Your path will be arduous, especially if you want to stay together with this missy," the old man pointed his finger at Snowy and said, "You need to work even harder."

"Yes, I understand," Feng Xue nodded sincerely.